Like the NARS One Night Stand blush palette (have I mentioned my obsession with this palette yet?), the NARS Promiscuous Set ($45) released for Holiday 2013 will be available at Sephora exclusively (based on the materials that I’ve received). This set comes with a large cosmetic pouch, approximately 7 1/2 by 5 inches. It also happens to come with some of my favorite pencil shades from NARS incomparable line.

This pouch is a tough, good quality vinyl and should provide years of use. I love a bag with a decent zipper, this one has one that is both robust and attractively integrated into the design.

Unlike many lip pencils which provide a color base for lipsticks or gloss, NARS pencils of this type are meant to be used as the main event–they are complex colors and thoughtfully designed textures used to create the lip look on their own.

The NARS Promiscuous set contains mini versions of Cruella Matte Velvet, Sex Machine Velvet Matte, Dolce Vita Velvet Matte, Never Say Never Velvet Matte, and New Lover Velvet Gloss. These are some of my favorites, so I think this is a well-chosen, nicely wearable and versatile selection.

Swatches of all shades:

One more set:

If you haven’t tried NARS pencils, the Nars Promiscuous set is a wonderful place to start. The pouch is a nice addition–the size is excellent for keeping things together in your office desk, weekend bag, the gym, or your purse for those necessary touch-ups.

Note: The Cruella, Sex Machine, Dolce Vita, and Never Say Never Pencils are listed as 0.06 oz, and New Lover as 0.08 oz in size. These measure roughly 3 3/4″ in size each.

NARS Cosmetics provided this set to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup)

The NARS Crime of Passion palette ($59) packs some beautiful, highly wearable colors together in a remarkably compact space. This system is well-designed to accommodate a nice range of neutral looks, with high quality products that accommodates a wide range of skin tones and looks. This will be widely available at all Nars sources, and currently available on Nordstrom.com.

The top layer includes three eyeshadows, which are all new shades. First a new light shimmery Jezebel, a new metallic rose-brown Naiade, and a super pigmented black matte Pandora. There is also a mini Deep Throat Larger than Life Lip Gloss (another new shade). This layer flips up to reveal a pan of Deep Throat blush, and a Laguna Bronzing powder.

The design of the Nars Crimes of Passion set is aesthetically pleasing, functional, and efficient. And, let’s face it, these are great colors for a gorgeous, neutral look.

Inside:

Swatches of all colors:

Another:

NARS Crime of Passion is genius. I love a good neutral palette with versatility–this is certainly a well-chosen range of classic colors that is highly wearable. I was surprised to find this treasure has such a nice range of product in such a well-packaged, compact space.

Nars Cosmetics sent this palette to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see About Cafe Makeup.

For Holiday 2013, NARS is releasing the NARS Voyeur set($49) at all department and specialty stores, Nars online and Nars boutiques. This set comes with a generous 7 1/2″ by 5″ vinyl zippered cosmetic bag, and five mini versions of the Nars Larger than Life eyeliner pencils. This set is also called the Nars Guy Bourdin Larger than Life Eyeliner Coffret.

These pencils are long wearing, high pigment, high quality pencil liners. As with all Larger than Life pencils, the points of these can be brought back into shape with small sharpeners built in the removable tops of each. Swatches:

The Nars Voyeur set is a nice way to try out a variety of this great line of pencils. The pouch is well made, and an excellent size for a generous supply of makeup that could accommodate a day-to-night switch, or an entire weekend.

Nars Cosmetics sent this set to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup)

Tis the season to pick up a NARS blush palette–this year’s treat is the NARS One Night Stand ($65) available at Sephora. This year’s offering brings three new shades, as well as three classics. This format is truly wonderful for anyone (like me) that spends time on the road. I have the feeling that this would be parfait for a trip to Paris or any other multi-week trip.

Why did NARS call this a “One Night Stand”? This palette is perfect for a long term relationship!

According to the back label of this palette, each pan has a total of 0.14 oz (4 grams), and a standard Nars blush has 0.16 each, so each pan is slightly smaller than a full sized standard Nars blush. Because standard blushes are $29 each, this six pan is a fabulous value at $65.

Overall, NARS One Night Stand is another winner. With three new shades (including that gorgeous highlighter Devotee), this palette includes a highly usable set of extremely high quality blushes in a single, slim, easily stored-and-packed package. Love.

Nars Cosmetics sent this palette to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup).

There is a new multi-tonal blush palette released in the Nars Splendor in the Grass Cheek Palette ($49), set for release to Nars boutiques, Nars online, and select retailers (presumably, this will not be available to all Nars retailers). This palette includes a mix of shades already in Nars standard line, and therefore is a nice introduction for those who do not already own them, or for those who want a lovely combination of pre-selected shades in one easy-to-use place.

Unlike some of the items in Nars Holiday line, Splendor in the Grass does not have the “Guy Bourdin” red splash logo on the outside of the palette.

This large palette measures out to roughly 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches, and includes Albatross Highlighting blush (shimmery white), Dolce Vita, Angelika (sparkling cool pink), and Sex Appeal (light, soft peach). It has a giant, beautiful mirror and slim profile that’s so lovely for tucking into a drawer, cosmetic bag, or overnight bag.

Swatches:

Because I’m a big fan of these colors, and they looks so pretty in combination, Nars Splendor in the Grass is well worth a god look. Albatross and Sex Appeal can be pretty upper cheek shades, while Dolce Vita can be used to sculpt the cheek lower on the face. Angelika is one of those brightening, life-giving shades that can be used with the entire combination (or not). I did a look with this palette this morning and –oh my–it really does deliver excellent quality, gorgeous pigmentation, finely-milled texture, and a really flattering flush of color. I love having the highlighter right there. Sometimes to save time I skip highlighter, and really, life is too short to skip highlighter! My upper cheekbones thank you Nars!

Let’s think about if forced to choose (don’t make me!), what you might do if you had to choose just one of Nars Holiday 2013 blush palettes. On one hand, if I didn’t have many blushes, I’d be very tempted to skip some lattes and put them toward the slightly more expensive iNARS One Night Stand ($65) blush palette (reviewed here). I like the fact that there is more choice in the One Night Stand palette, and the cool pink in the six-pan palette has no sparkle.

One the other hand, some people have a serious amount of Nars blushes already–Laguna and Orgasm have certainly made their appearances before. In that case, I would certainly be tempted by NARS Splendor in the Grass as a well-executed sculpting palette. When I used this one, the combination of Dolce Vita and Albatross was stunning (together with a pop of the smaller Sex Appeal). I think you’d have to review your blush stash to see–but you certainly can’t go wrong with Splendor in the Grass.

Nars Cosmetics sent this palette to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains an affiliate link (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup).